And the Winner Is …

Greener Cleaner voted 'Heart of Del Ray.'

Alexandria  The votes are in and Greener Cleaner has been named the 2013 “Heart of Del Ray,” an annual award presented during the Valentine's Day holiday by the Del Ray Business Association.

“We are very happy to win this award,” said Serdar Basegmez, who opened Greener Cleaner at the corner of Mount Vernon and E. Custis avenues in 2008. “Being part of the Del Ray community has been a great pleasure.”

Started in 2009, the award is presented to “the business that demonstrates a warm and welcoming attitude to the community and customers, a commitment and generosity to the community, and an overall contribution to what makes Del Ray the best place in the world to live, work and shop.”

More than 550 people voted online for one of the five nominated businesses, which also included Caboose Café, Pork Barrel BBQ/Holy Cow, St. Elmo's Coffee Pub and Taqueria el Poblano.

“Del Ray is so blessed to have so many great businesses that it is always hard to narrow it down to just one to be recognized” said Gayle Reuter, a DRBA board member.

Past winners of the award include A Show of Hands, Jen Walker, Bobi Bomar and the Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray.

“We are honored by the award,” Basegmez said. “We will continue to give back to the community and help the neighborhood whenever we can.”